Cognitive abilities,digital games and arithmetic performance enhancement: A study comparing the effects of a math game and paper exercises

Besides entertainment, games have shown to have the potential to impact a broader variety of cognitive abilities. Research has consistently shown that several aspects in cognition such as visual short-memory, multitasking and spatial skills can be enhanced by game play. In a previous study, it was found that playing Monkey Tales, a game aimed at training arithmetic skills, helped second grade pupils to increase their accuracy in mental calculation as compared to paper exercises. In this follow up study we explore whether traditional methods and game training differ in terms of the cognitive processes that both are able to impact. We incorporated standardized measures of working memory and visuo-motor skills. Additionally, the mathematics game was modified and its contents extracted to allow precise comparison between the gaming and paper exercises condition. Thus each single math exercise, type of question (e.g., multiple choice), quantity and order was perfectly matched in the game training and the traditional training conditions. Gains in arithmetical performance, and self-reported measures of enjoyment were also investigated. We found some evidence suggesting that arithmetic performance enhancement induced by game play and paper exercises differ not only in terms of enjoyment but also of working memory capacity improvements.     

Cost-minimization analysis of a working vacation queue with N-policy and server breakdowns

This paper investigates the N-policy M/M/1 queueing system with working vacation and server breakdowns. As soon as the system becomes empty, the server begins a working vacation. The server works at a lower service rate rather than completely stopping service during a vacation period. The server may break down with different breakdown rates during the idle, working vacation, and normal busy periods. It is assumed that service times, vacation times, and repair times are all exponentially distributed. We analyze this queueing model as a quasi-birth–death process. Furthermore, the equilibrium condition of the system is derived for the steady state. Using the matrix-geometric method, we find the matrix-form expressions for the stationary probability distribution of the number of customers in the system and system performance measures. The expected cost function per unit time is constructed to determine the optimal values of the system decision variables, including the threshold N and mean service rates. We employ the particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the optimization problem. Finally, numerical results are provided, and an application example is given to demonstrate the applicability of the queueing model.     

Experimental and modeling approaches of MR behaviors under large step strains

Rheological properties of MR fluids under large step strain shear are presented in this paper. The experiments were carried out using a rheometer with parallel-plate geometry. Under the large step strain shear, MR fluids behave as nonlinear viscoelastic properties, where the stress relaxation modulus, G(t, γ), shows a decreasing trend with step strain. The experimental results indicate that G(t, γ) obeys time-strain separability. Thus, a mathematical form based on finite exponential serials is proposed to predict MR behavior. In this model, G(t, γ) is represented as the product of a linear stress relaxation, G(t), and the damping function, h(γ), i.e. G(t, γ)=G(t) h(γ). G(t) is simply represented as a three-parameter exponential serial and h(γ) has a sigmoidal form with two parameters. The parameters are identified by adopting an efficient optimization method proposed by Stango et al. The comparison between the experimental results and the model-predicted values indicates that this mathematical model can accurately predict MR behavior.     

The Influence and Interpretation of Surface Parameters for Wetting Transitions in Ternary Mixtures

Starting from a microscopic Hamiltonian defined on a semi-infinite cubic lattice, and employing a mean-field approximation, the surface parameters relevant for wetting in confined ternary mixtures are derived. These are found in terms of the microscopic coupling constants, and yield a physical interpretation of their origins. In comparison with the standard expression for the surface free-energy density, several new terms arising from the derivation are identified. The influence of the surface parameters on a predicted unbinding transition in a mixture of oil, water, and amphiphile demonstrate that existing results are robust to the addition of the extra surface terms.     

Properties of Carbopol Solutions as Models for Yield-Stress Fluids

ABSTRACT: The effect of pH on the non-Newtonian viscosity (η)of aqueous Carbopol 940 solutions is presented with high resolution (pH increments about 0.4) between pH = 2.8 and 12.7. Aqueous NaOH was used to adjust pH of 1.48 wt % Carbopol solutions. A Contraves viscometer was used to measure steady-flow shear stress at known shear rate (γ) over the range γ= 8 to 195 s⁻¹. Yield stresses and shear-thinning η(γ) were observed. Data were fitted with a Herschel-Bulkley model, whose parameters (including yield stress) were expressed as functions of pH. Comparisons were made of η(γ) to the dynamic viscometric properties η'(ω) and η*(ω) for comparable ranges of γ and frequency (ω): A fairly close match was found between η and η* but η«η'. pH dependence included previously unreported extrema of h(pH) in the range of pH = 6.2 to 6.6. Because of sensitive control of rheological properties with pH, Carbopol solutions can be used to mimic a great range of shear-thinning and yield-stress behavior that should make them useful for model studies directed toward process and equipment design and evaluation.     

国外钻井液和完井液用聚合物

９０年代以来，国外钻井液和完井液用聚合物添加剂的发展取得长足进步。本文介绍了国外目前用于钻井液和完井液的聚合物添加剂的类型及作用。     

Structure and dynamics of dipolar fluids under strong shear

Molecular dynamical simulation has been carried out to investigate the structure and dynamics of a dipolar fluid under strong shear. Dipolar fluid consists of polarizable particles, which have an induced dipole moment in the applied field direction. Shear stress is perpendicular to the field direction. When shear stress is small, the flow has a flowing-chain structure. If shear stress increases to pass a critical value, flowing-chain structure changes to flowing layer structure. Each layer is parallel to the flow direction and shear direction. Within one layer, particles form strings in the flow direction.     

挖掘机工作装置实验样本长度确定方法及程序系统

本文通过对某液压挖掘机工作装置实验样本长度的研究,详细讨论了样本长度的确定方法,重点分析了趋势曲线拟合法,提出了样本长度精度区间分析的方法,并在处理大量实验数据的基础上,从载荷分布及寿命估算的角度做了实际的验证.编制了应用程序,使样本长度确定至寿命估算整个过程程序化.     

高含酸性气碳酸盐岩气藏流体敏感性实验研究

对川东北雷口坡组、嘉陵江组、飞仙关组、长兴组高含H，S及032的碳酸盐岩储层流体敏感性进行了实验研究，结果表明岩样速敏损害弱～强，水敏和盐敏损害中偏弱～极强，碱敏损害严重。岩石学分析揭示，川东北高含酸性气碳酸盐岩储层发育伊利石、微晶石英、白云石、方解石、硫化钙等潜在损害物质。钻井完井液侵入会破坏储层各物质间的原始动态平衡，诱发储层损害。主要损害机理为：①储层流体pH增加引起黏土矿物以及微晶石英失稳；②碱液与微晶石英、长石、白云石反应生成硅酸盐、高岭石、水镁石等新矿相；③流体矿化度改变可降低伊利石微粒间的连接力；④硫化钙水解产生OH^-，过量的OH-与Ca^2＋结合形成氢氧化钙沉淀；⑤储层含水饱和度和流体离子浓度改变，致使焦沥青脱附并在储层深部沉积；⑥硬石膏水化膨胀、分散运移。针对该气藏损害机理，可采用屏蔽暂堵技术以形成优质滤饼，有效降低储层流体敏感性损害。图5表2参10。